If one was to lend a tennis parlance to depict the current state of the Australian cricket team, they have ruled on grass but now are confronted by a challenge on clay.
The analogy is given credence by the comprehensive whitewash of England followed by the very impressive 2-1 defeat of South Africa away from home. Both series were staged on familiar pitches supporting pace and with true bounce. This allowed the attack-minded Aussie batsmen to revel, culminating in Australia reclaiming the top ranking in Test cricket.
On the other hand, the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October is sure to be played on slow, spin-friendly Asian decks that Australia has traditionally struggled on
Of greater concern for the Aussies is that Pakistan are the masters in these turgid confines. They are undefeated in their six series in the UAE, with a 7-3 win-loss ledger. This team, commandeered by the statesmanlike Misbah ul Haq, has married the player’s natural flair with a dourness and resilience, making them both dangerous as well as very hard to break down.
The teams strength is its bowling, which becomes lethal in conditions that suit it. It is highlighted by the eclectic nature, with it top shelf unorthodox spin corps supported by a pace attack well versed in bowling reverse swing.
The other side to Pakistan’s bowling strength is it can be undermined if the opposition can prey on Pakistani’s abject fielding, as well as exploiting the teams weakness with the bat. Pakistan’s batting has the class of Younis Khan and resilience of Misbah as its pillars, supported by a host of precocious youngsters who are still establishing their test credentials.
They are heavily dependent on their top six to fire, for they have struggled for runs from their ‘keeping position, magnified by a tail that is akin to having four number 11s
With this reality, the obvious blueprint for success for the Aussies is to make this a bowling series by targeting Pakistan’s weakness in batting. If they can keep Pakistan to low scores, it will reduce the ability to attack with the ball supported by the intimidating fields it allows.
This strategy is sound, but Australia has been dealt a bitter blow with bowling ace Ryan Harris succumbing to injury once more. Harris absence will be profound, robbing the team of its most skilled bowler who is a threat in all conditions.
It will force the other members of the attack to become decisive in conditions that are likely to blunt many of their strengths, as well as demanding they show aptitude in skills they have struggled to grasp.
Two names standout: Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon.
Johnson in his previous visits to Asia has struggled mightily, with an average of 42.77 showing the sometimes one-dimensional demeanour of his bowling.
If the conditions do not support his pace and ability to intimidate and demand him to display skills in swing and seam, he is found wanting. The citing of Lyon is a tad unfair with him being an excellent and very useful spinner for the team, as well as meeting all challenges.
The relevance for this series is his orthodox style, and how it is likely to be found wanting against Asian batsmen who generally maul these offerings. One can see him being a contributor, but failing to be decisive due to his lack of a ‘Doosra’ and other revolutionary deliveries.
There is a domino effect to this, with the lesser members of the attack expected to take more primary roles with the all-rounders. This makes the prospect of consistently taking 20 wickets more difficult.
It also puts a greater emphasis on a batting line-up that against this spin attack will find the going very tough. This expectation needs to lead to a bit of proactivity in the line up, with Michael Clarke at three with Steven Smith at four. This promotion of our best players of spin will calm the others in the line-up, in particular the ace in the Aussie batting attack Dave Warner.
The tactics need to embrace old-style batting: patience, discretion in shot selection and the value of accumulation. They need to be cerebral in their batting, realising that it will be very hard to flay Pakistan’s excellent attack. Victory could come, however, by preying on Pakistan’s weakness in the field.
Quick singles and well run twos represent death through a thousand cuts for a bowler, especially spinners, who feel they are a step closer to the batsman’s wicket when they dare to attack.
For the Australian batsmen, the better part of valour is discretion.
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